The horror genre has one of the longest, most distinguished, and often misunderstood bloodlines in history. It is often overlooked by critics, Watson argues, who miss the hard-hitting commentary on society and life contained in these works.

"So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century—the degradation of man through pauperism, the corruption of woman through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light—are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world;—in other words...

"Runaway Survivors" starts off with five 13-year-old runaways. The first night, they (Kye, Jye, John James, Gabriel, and Ty) sleep in an alley. They are no ordinary 13-year-olds. Kye is the protector. Jye is the leader. Ty, Gabriel, and John James build a cabin. Kye says the three of them need to stay close to the cabin. Jye uses his computer skills to earn money. They do all they can to stay unnoticed to prevent going back to abusive homes. Until they are 18, it is just the five of them. ...

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: Embark on an epic adventure with Alexandre Dumas's timeless classic, ""The Count of Monte Cristo."" This gripping tale of revenge, love, and redemption follows the unjustly imprisoned Edmond Dantès as he seeks to uncover the truth behind his false accusation and exact his revenge on those who wronged him. With its richly detailed characters and vivid descriptions, this book is a must-read for f...

In the long-awaited sequel to his surprise bestseller, "Save the Cat!," author and screenwriter Snyder returns to form in a fast-paced follow-up that proves why his is the most talked-about approach to screenwriting in years.

A lifetime member of the Writer's Guild of America who has had three feature films produced from his screenplays, Akers offers beginning writers the tools they need to get their screenplay noticed.

• Insider author gives no-nonsense advice• Required reading for film students, educators, anyone interested in filmFrom script analysis to post production, here is the all-inclusive guide to directing for film and television. Written by noted director-producer Myrl Schreibman, The Film Director Prepares offers practical insights on filmmaking, using real-life examples directors won’t learn in school. With topics including working with actors, using the came...

What is the secret to writing a great screenplay?Whether you're a beginning screenwriter or an A-list Academy Award winner, all writers struggle with the same thing: to get to the great script inside.Step by step, Inside Story guides you through an extraordinary new process that helps identify your thematic intention—what your story is really about—and teaches you how to turn that intention into the driving force behind all your creative choices. The result is a profound rela...

The step-by-step guide to creating a compelling screenplayWhile most screenwriting books focus on format and structure, Kate Wright explains how to put story at the center of a screenplay. A compelling story, complete with intriguing characters and situations created with these screenwriting tricks of the trade can become a box office blockbuster film.Learn the basics of screenwriting, including:- Developing themes within the plot- Using stru...

Ever gotten stuck when working on the middle of your story?Ever labeled your story middle as saggy? Draggy? A creativity-draining slog?You’re not alone.Even big-name writers have trouble with the middle.Writers like John Grisham (“[it] has to hold up and not run out of gas”) and Jim Butcher (“the middle of books is HARD, especially for beginning writers”).The worst part: When you’re so stuck that it feels like your writing wheels are...

Film Genre for the Screenwriter is a practical study of how classic film genre components can be used in the construction of a screenplay. Based on Jule Selbo’s popular course, this accessible guide includes an examination of the historical origins of specific film genres, how and why these genres are received and appreciated by film-going audiences, and how the student and professional screenwriter alike can use the knowledge of film genre components in the ideation and execution of a scr...

Austin Film Festival (AFF) is the first organization of its kind to focus on the writer’s creative contribution to film. Its annual Film Festival and Conference offers screenings, panels, workshops, and roundtable discussions that help new writers and filmmakers connect with mentors and gain advice and insight from masters, as well as refreshing veterans with new ideas. To extend the Festival’s reach, AFF produces On Story, a television series currently airing on PBS-affiliated st...